Disclaimer: ToL and its characters belong to Namco.

Author's Note: I had been writing a Christmas story, and I came up with this idea. Then I realized that it was straying too far from the main story, so I took the idea and made it into a separate story that takes place several weeks before Christmas. Because of that, this chapter probably looks strange.
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Chapter 1

Senel Coolidge, Shirley Fennes, Will Raynard, Chloe Valens, Norma Beatty, Moses Sandor, Jay the Unseen, and Grune got together for lunch one day. Actually, they always got together for lunch; it was quite routine for them. Their friendship was just that close. However, having their time interrupted by a mission was also...fairly routine.

The three Scallop Brothers entered Senel's house and approached Jay.

"Jay," Poppo said. "Can we talk to you somewhere alone?"

Jay raised an eye. "Very well. Would you all excuse me?"

He stood up and followed the Oresoren into the backyard and hid behind a bush.

"Jay, our network has just spotted Cashel in the Forest of No Return," Poppo said.

"Cashel? What was he doing?" Jay asked.

"Well, he wasn't really doing anything," Poppo said. "He looked like he was waiting for something."

"I see...he's probably waiting for me."

The Oresoren glanced at each other. "For you, Jay?"

"That's right. Most likely, he wants to revenge against me for bringing about his downfall. As for me, I'm curious as to whether he's improved his skills at all."

"So what will you do, Jay?" Quppo asked.

"I'll go to the forest and face Cashel myself."

"Should we tell the others?" Poppo asked.

"No...this is a score that Cashel and I must settle ourselves."

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Jay explored the Forest of No Return, but he wasn't finding anything unusual so far.

He must be around here somewhere, he thought. I suppose I'll have to go in deeper.

He trailed deeper into the forest...and then he began to sense something. Jay pulled out his dagger and waited.

Suddenly, two very familiar tonfa blades shot through the air towards him. Jay parried the blades with his dagger; at the same time, two darts struck both of his legs.

"Arrgh!" Jay cried out as his legs suddenly went numb, and he collapsed to the ground.

He sat up and pulled out one of the darts, then examined it Paralysis serum...

To confirm it, he found that he could no longer move his legs.

"Heh heh..." a voice laughed as the masked Phantom emerged from the trees.

Jay gasped. "Cashel!"

"Looks like I've outsmarted you this time, you little brat!" Cashel taunted.

"Well done," Jay responded.

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"Hmm, it's been a while since Jay left with the Oresoren," Shirley said.

"It must have been something important," Chloe added.

"No way!" Senel jumped in. "If it was that important, Jay would have told us."

"Not necessarily," Will told him. "Sometimes people have personal matters to resolve, and it's better for others not to be involved.

"Like what?" Norma asked.

"Hmm...like my conflict with Harriet, for instance. I would have preferred it if you all hadn't gotten involved."

Senel looked down. "We're sorry, Will. We just wanted to help, that's all."

"It's all right now," Will said. "I'm grateful for your assistance nonetheless."

"Hey!" Moses stood up and peeked into the backyard. "There's no sign of Jay. If he was leavin', he could have at least said goodbye."

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In the Forest of No Return, Jay was still at Cashel's mercy. His body had been bound in fine rope. His legs had been tied together, and his forearms were pinned to his chest. His mouth was also sealed with a strip of duct tape.

Now Cashel was tying some silky red ribbons over the ropes.

"Don't worry, it's nothing personal," he said. "It's only three weeks before Christmas, and I thought you would make a fine gift for your master."

Jay's eyes widened as his breaths became heavy. Unbelievable! He's planning to turn me over to Solon!?

"Ah, that's the reaction I like to see," Cashel continued. "Solon will be happy to know that you fell right into my trap. Like a moth to a flame, as they say."

Jay squirmed within his restraints, but it proved to be futile since his legs still would not budge.

Cashel pulled out a syringe filled with a yellow fluid. "It's time for your nap, little one."

"Mmmph!" Jay let out a muffled scream as Cashel plunged the needle into his arm. Before long, the drug took effect, and Jay sank into the spider web of sleep.